Proposal for Chicago Exhibition

EMERGE 2008-09 BUDGET PROPOSAL
Date submitted: Sept 29, 2008

Abstract
We, the members of the graduate MCMA RSO, “Emerge,” propose the following budget with the primary goal of a Multimedia Art exhibition at the Chicago Arts District Exhibition Space, which will run through the month of May 2009. The exhibition will be the first in many of our careers as emerging artists and will also raise awareness of Southern Illinois University’s MCMA graduate programs. We are requesting funds to defer costs of the deposit, rental and operation of the gallery, as well as other expenses listed below.

Introduction
A group of MCMA graduate students formed the new Registered Student Organization (RSO), Emerge, with the purpose of devising and executing at least one exhibition per academic year that takes place outside the greater Carbondale area. This year the group is organizing a show at the Chicago Arts District Exhibitions space in May of 2009. This will provide a venue for graduate and PhD students in the MCMA department to present and discuss their work in a professional gallery setting. The interdisciplinary focus of the show will attract a diverse audience and promote the SIUC MCMA graduate programs to a broad, if not national, audience.

Expected Outcomes
The show will give the students an understanding of all aspects involved in putting together a show. This is an extremely valuable experience for students preparing thesis shows and post-graduate exhibitions. The show will also generate buzz for the MCMA graduate programs for subsequent shows, as well as individual artists who may be given the opportunity to show in different venues in the Chicagoland area.

Methodology
In order for an MCMA graduate student’s work to be considered for the Emerge Chicago exhibition, each must meet the following criterion:
• Student must be an active member of the RSO, Emerge, which requires at least 50% attendance at Emerge meetings before the exhibit’s submission deadline
• Student must abide by the process of submission
• Student is responsible for transportation, installation, and removal of artwork
• Student is required to monitor the exhibition space for a minimum of four days
• Student’s work must fit in the category of media arts (photography, video, sound, film, and performance)
• MCMA Graduate students will also be allowed to present papers that fall into the category of media arts.

Budget
Students will be responsible for preparing exhibition-ready artworks, in a form applicable to the medium. For example, a video artist will be responsible for his/her own technology to exhibit the piece. Students are also responsible for their own transportation, the delivery and installation of their work, housing, food and other personal expenses. These costs are described as follows:

Expenses of each Emerge participant to spend 4 days in Chicago:
DESCRIPTION AMOUNT
Transportation $100
Room 320
Food 80
Installation of artwork(s) varying
Total (per person) $500

As an RSO, Emerge will potentially receive $1000 from the university. The group will also hold several fundraisers through the academic year to help cover these costs.

We are asking that the MCMA College contribute $1000 for the deposit, which will be returned at the conclusion of the show. In addition, we ask that the college contribute the amount remaining that Emerge is unable to independently raise through fundraisers. Finally, we ask the college to extend their liability insurance to the exhibition space:

Chicago Arts District
1915 South Halsted St.
Chicago, IL 60608

Expenses needed to exhibit in proposed Chicago location:
DESCRIPTION AMOUNT
Rental of Space $1200
Deposit 1000
Electricity 300
Food for Opening 300
Postcards (5000) 160
Postage (Bulk) 300
Liability Insurance Approx. 180
Mailing List 300
Total $3,740